Ending a case that has dragged on for three years, Skamania County's former auditor accused of racking up questionable expenses and shredding public documents pleaded guilty Thursday to a gross misdemeanor.

Matthew M. Clark, 43, died of an apparent gunshot wound, the sheriff's department said in a bulletin issued Tuesday morning. It said the precise cause of death would be determined by the Clark County Medical Examiner.

A Vancouver man caught on camera allegedly stealing a political sign apparently told police he did so because he thought the sign was illegally placed in his neighborhood, according to court documents.